As the saying goes, action may attack the jade. In the face of Europe books printing enterprise, a digital wave of strain and think what? Recently the China news publishing news reporter interviewed the world famous one of the demand publishing printers - United States on-demand printing company lightning source LightningSource, referred to (LSI) President before J.K irby kirby (Best). According to kirby introduced, the company's most

In two hours early printed, and only four book has had more than a million copies of the publisher of global cooperation, printing more than 1.3 million. In the company's books database, there are more than 500 million copies of books stored. Every month has 150 million copies from 1997, the printing has amounted to 100 million copies printed. Reporter hope through this company in the process of digital exploration experience, understand the digital exploration Europe counterparts for domestic road, books printing enterprise reference.

Concept changing

Enterprise must cunceptions recognized that this -- this is forced to change things.

Kirby reiterated that the traditional books of digital printing enterprise transformation and is not an easy thing, in euramerican, too, but from ideas on enterprise must have realized this -- this is forced to change things. First, now than before, with customer to the quality request more and more high, from the customer's challenge is more and more big. Secondly, the publishing industry, don't do less printing digital changes are not competitive, no matter you are willing, this trend of the force. The enterprise must change. In addition, do not emphasize only printing equipment or technology of one point increase, but to set his sights on the whole production system and links on the change, and to establish the process automation.

Business model

After a long time of exploration, at present the company's work model mainly two forms, namely mainly orders according to the publisher's request printing and printing.

Cole, according to the publishers requirements than with traditional printing, printing mode in a similar way, the company for publisher printing good books delivered to a publisher hands after. Difference is, by adopting digital printing technology, to ensure the publishers hands forever, it constantly edition books not only meets the needs of readers readily purchased, utmost ground to the publisher and enterprise himself into a economic benefits. In addition, order quantity can is very low, from hundreds of copies to thousands of copies. Receiving orders from company to customers receive books, cycle is very short. According to introducing, some 6pm books orders received, the next morning the customer can get books finished product. Thus, from the consumption of inventory publisher make more money.

And the company orders printing is the first of the way, overturned thoroughly from print to the traditional way, become printed publication of the book of the sales distributors, all the sale minus manufacturing cost, is their net profits of this part. Truly zero inventory, and can do 24-hour supply uninterrupted.

Communication way

Digital printing cost is higher, in and customer communication, let customers face challenges traditional concept is first.

Actually, LSI company eventually took to the road, on-demand publishing form above two kinds of working way also went through a period of very not easy process. Cole said, this company initial sales very difficult. When to start selling digital printing, as the supplier, first contact printing design, procurement personnel is generally met attitude is: why do I have to spend four dollars from you buy your product, while others are 3 dollars? After MAO CEO of continued visit publishers have also not very optimistic response.

At last they found the financial controller, and publishers to communicate, at least they start to listen to effective, begin to have good response. When they further and publishers sales team communications, found that sales personnel may become their breakthrough. Because publishers sales staff use of digital printing mode found more sales opportunity, and through such cooperation, publishers gained more income, by which they can the initiative to promote digital printing part of the printed demand.

Cooperate with each other

More work is to guide their customers - publishers. Long-term way of working make publishers don't willing to change, and make them realize we can harvest is open their hearts keys.

After experiencing the digitalization tide later, as a printing enterprise, from the digital transition LSI company is aware of the excellent talents and strong production ability is important, but IT means, financial and legal team's support is its strong backing. And introduce the right equipment and facilities are very simple and practical facilitate handcuffed, the only way to shorten the enterprise period of adjustment, as soon as possible into efficient working condition.

LSI company experience is, in the whole process, publishers, after the feel good will gradually be consciously begin will probably have out of print or is the long tail of digital printing books are in the database, so that later according to the production need to supply; Continue to feel really good time, publishers will put new bibliography is also for later this process, prepare the on-demand publishing, and will all on-demand publishing books are integrated into their own work process of.

Kirby think, both benign combination is the key. Publishers designate special persons to responsible for on-demand publishing of books, and a standard part of size and specifications published books, and printing enterprise operating data match, only then can improve efficiency to play out digital and on-demand publishing advantage. Therefore, in the middle effectively create a set of data exchange interface appears very necessary. And publishers realize data interchange between, effectively improve and simplify the publishers to printers process.